Yes, I did read over what you said about "hitting the center" being what I thought was tough....so let me address this point.
I have a proposition for you....you find any player you want and I'll shoot against him....we'll both put the cue ball in the center of the table (the closer to the end rail the more I think it favors me) and we'll both shoot down to the OTHER head end rail and make the cue ball come straight back to where it started with a firm "game like" speed....now YOU are going to bet that your player can make the cue ball come back straight every time and I am going to bet that I can make it come back slightly to the left or right of center (you can pick) .... each time he doesn't make it come back straight you owe me one BET....and each time I don't make it come back to the side you designate you win one BET.....and we'll see how long this lasts before you see what I'm referring to as far as "if it's easier to hit a hair off center in a consistent way OR is it easier to hit the exact center in a consistent way (AND NOT BE ABLE TO PREDICT WHICH WAY THE CUE BALL WILL DEFLECT)....this, if you think about it effects "margin for error" and how you can effectively play the pocket as a ZONE, not just an opening.
Over time this makes a big difference IF both players are playing on tough equipment with cloth that is NOT extremely fast and new. That's one of the reasons I don't think fast, new cloth conditions bring out the best play , because it minimizes off center hits on the cue ball......and this really DOES MATTER when it comes to determining who the best player is with all other things being equal.....I know it may appear I'm going out on a limb making these type statements, but don't hold it against me - THE GAME IS THE TEACHER
LOL at your gaff bet. You get half the cb to hit, and I get one spot.
I understand your premise, but I also believe it is flawed. Here's why...yes, you can acurrately predict which way the deflection is. However, you cannot get a consistent amount of deflection and squirt unless you hit the cb in the same spot everytime and at the same speed and distance everytime.
I think it is more of a mental thing that helps you in this regard than an actual physical thing. To show this, let's make your proposition a little fairer. Instead of you just having to go to the left or right each time, you have the same parameters as I do. That is, you have to hit the same spot on the second rail each time. Now, each shot, the other gets to say "soft, medium or fast" speed. Let's see just how accurate you really are using a little english vs. a no english shot.
Now, just to be clear, I am not advocating not using english in a game situation. You want to play as near center as possible, and at a uniform speed as much as possibloe, but english and speed will vary from shot to shot depending on the demands of the shot.
So, after my little "test" for you, which is actually more accurate?? While CIT does exist, I can't personally recall a single time over 35 years of playing that I have allowed for it and adjusted my aim accordingly.
Basically, while I might hit left or right and miss my target, you will consistently miss to the side you put english on. Either way, both still miss. So, it boils down to which way your mind is more at ease. Not really that one is better than the other. You can argue that you know which way you will deflect and squirt, but you can't control the amount any better than with no english. So, I don't see where it really helps other than mentally.
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